Smoking articles having encapsulated tobacco additives and their manufacture



Dec. 22, 1964 SMOKING ARTICLES HAVING ENAPSULATED TOBACCO Filed April 211961 c. J. MOLL JR 3,162,199

ADDITIVES AND THEIR MANUFACTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. z/swMa'J/vau,JR

C. J. MOLL, JR SMOKING ARTICLES HAVING ENCAPSULATED TOBACCO ADDITIVESAND THEIR MANUFACTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 21, 1961 FIG. 3

INVENTOR. (24:15; J. #444,]:

United States Patent Ofiice 3,162,199 Patented Dec. 22., 1964 3 162 199SMOKING ARrreLEs HAVING ENCAPSU- LATED TGBACCO ADDITIVES AND THEIRMANUFACTURE Charles J. Moll, Jr., Louisville, Ky., assignor to Brown &Williamson Tobacco Corporation, Louisville, Ky., a corporation ofDelaware Filed Apr. 21, 1961, Ser. No. 104,693 Claims. (U. ISL-9) Thisinvention relates generally to the incorporation of flavors and otherdesirable additives in cigarettes or other smoking articles. And moreparticularly, to the introduction of such additives in an encapsulatedform to be released during pyrolysis of the tobacco.

In the past, it has been common practice to spray flavoring material ontobacco after it has been cut and dried. The tobacco was then allowed tobulk for approximately 24 hours, a a general rule, to facilitate thediffusion of these additives through the tobacco. This procedure,however, has inherently presented a number of difliculties anddisadvantages. In this connection, it has been extremely diflicult toobtain a truly uniform application as well as distribution of theflavoring material throughout the tobacco. In addition, time and spacerequirements incident to the stated bulk period are factors contributingto the cost of manufacture and consequently, that of the ultimatelyfinished smoking article. Cigarettes having flavoring material added inthis fashion experience deterioration with age and necessarily limitedshelf life, due to the evaporation and volatilization of the flavoringmaterials most commonly employed. Needless to say, a cigarettemanufactured in this manner, will not necessarily have a uniformdistribution of the flavoring material throughout and consequently,uniform release of these materials on pyrolysis of the tobacco cannot beexpected, especially when variable concentrations will be present whiledifferent sections of the cigarette are smoked.

It is therefore an object of this invention to overcome these aforenoteddifficulties and disadvantages by encapsulating these flavoringmaterials and additives, such that they are readily uniformly releasedduring pyrolysis of the tobacco.

Another object is to provide for such uniformity of control in flavoringmaterials and additives in'addition to the elimination of the abovebulking operations and limited shelf life of the exposed cigarette a aresult of their evaporation and volatilization.

A further important object resides in the effective con trol offlavoring incorporated into each cigarette, as well as thatreceived bythe smoker upon each inhalation, notwithstanding the period of timeduring which the cigarette package is opened and exposed to the ambientteperatures and humidity conditions.

' Briefly stated, this invention contemplates the provisions of anelongated ribbon-like capsule for receiving and retaining the selectedflavoring materials and additives only to be released upon pyrolysis ofthe tobacco. This capsule is preferably initially extruded in tubularform with the flavoring subsequently introduced therein or fabricatedfrom a flat ribbon eventually folded around the additive material. 7

' The encapsulated additive is conveniently incorporated into thecigarette during the cigarette manufacturing process, in web form, alongwith the paper, according to a specific embodiment of this invention. Onthe other hand, it is evident that the flavor-containing ribbon may beintroduced at other locations, which out of necessity,

would be before the standard garniture station, as for example, byhaving it accompany'the cut tobacco as it isfed and deposited on thewebof cigarette paper.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the followingdescription, which is to be taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings illustrating specific embodiments of the invention, and inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a continuous rod cigarette makingmachine having incorporated therein a roll of flavoring ribbon, the webof which is introduced into the continuous rod as it is formed, ascontemplated by the proposed teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view, partial-1y in section, showing extrusionapparatus that may be employed in fabricating the continuous web offlavoring ribbon introduced during the cigarette making process;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a cigarette embodying oneform of flavoring ribbon capable of manufacture by the use of thisextrusion apparatus and disposed within the cigarette as shown, bypracticing the invention in accordance with the teachings defined byFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the cigarette of FIG. 3 taken alongthe line 44;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional View taken along the line 55 of FIG. 3for purposes of illustrating the pinched sector of the flavor-containingribbon;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a film having deposited thereon, meteredamounts of flavoring material, in powdered form, to be ultimatelyencased by the fi-lm by sealing the films longitudinally extendingmarginal ide edges;

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of a filter cigarette includinga predetermined length of the flavor ribbon manufactured in accordancewith the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

For purposes of illustrating the present invention, a conventionalcontinuous rod cigarette making machine is partially shown in FIG. 1.This machine essentially includes the tobacco feed designated generallyby the numeral it) and cigarette maker designated generally by thenumeral 12. The principal components of the cigarette maker 12 arecomprised of a rod folder tongue 14, rod former 16, a cigarette rodpaster 18, a rod sealer 20, a cut-off device 22, and a cigarette catcheror collector 24 (illustrated schematically with phantom lines). In thisconnection, it should be understood any one of the standard continuousrod cigarette forming machines can be employed in practicing thisinvention, as for example, the Molins Mark VI or Mark VIII manufacturedby Molins Machine Co. Limited of England, the Haunie GarantLmanufactured in Hamburg, West Germany, and comparable machinerymanufactured by the American Ma chine & Foundry Co. of New Jersey, anyof which may have annexed thereto a filter tip attachment common to theindustry as is the case with the American Machine & Foundry Filter TipAttachment.

The tobacco feed 10 showers cut tobacco continuously onto a travelingtape 26, which delivers the showered tobacco to the traveling paper web28. The paper web 28 is fed from a reel or roll 30 and is suitablyguidedthrough the rod folder tongue 14, the rod paster 18 which applies astrip of paste to the lap edge of the cigarette rod paper, the rodformer 16 and the rod sealer 20, by a continuously moving folding belt32 driven by'the drum 34. In passing, it is this area of the cigarettemaker 12 that is referred to in the industry as the garniture. Drum 34is continuously driven and takes its drive off the motor (not shown) forthe entire cigarette making machine.

When the cigareet rod 36 emerges from the rod former 16 it passesthrough the cigarette cut-off 22, wherein a knife 38 is driven in propertimed relation with the move ment of the cigarette rod. Thus, individualcigarettes 40 of predetemine'd length are severed from the cigarette rod36, to be eventually picked up by catcher belts (not shown) anddelivered to a suitable collecting receptacle included within thecigarette catcher or collector 24.

, 4 I ditions ,or requirements Thus, asuitable pinching apparatus 58 canperiodically pinch the ribbon as it is 1 formed by the extruder 52 toeventually divide the ribbon As previously stated, this inventioncontemplates the provision of a cigarette or other smoking articlehavingan elongated ribbon-like capsule which encases a flavoringmaterial incorporated therein. ribbon may be introduced into thecigarette during its manufacture preferably in continuous web form.'Thus, a roll orlbobbin 42 containinga substantial length of capsule maybe mounted on the cigarette machinel as illustrated This flavorcontaining :into compartmentsconstituting the roll 42 of encapsulated Vflavoring material; With present day extrusion techniques, theflavor-containing'ribbon may be formed from polyethylene having aninside diameter of 0.010 and an outside diameter of 0.014.

Referring now to FIGS. 3, and it will be seen that the cigarette 40consists of a length of vpaper 60 wrapped around the tobacco rod filler62 and length of flavorin FIGLL The length of capsule per roll 42 isdeterminable and obviously selectable. length can correspond with thatof the paper roll 30. I If conditions dictate, a series of rolls 42 canbe utilized with the tail end of one connected to the leading end of thefollowing roll of the' series. With this in mind, constant In thisconnection, its 1 containing ribbon 64. The length of ribbon 64 will beadjacent thevinner wall of the paper 60 and is pinched at the prescribedlocations 66 along its. length Therefore, separate. chambers areprovided, thereby insuring separate and progressive release of acontrolled amount of replenishment of the flavoring ribbon rolls 42 neednot be experienced. I V

The-web 44 of prefabricated ribbon containing. the

flavoringsubstance' or additive can be fed into practically all of thecigarette making machines used by theindus along with the Web 28 ofcigarette paper or else introduced at a later stage after the tobaccohas been deposited on the moving paper web, but prior to the formationof the cigarette seam. As illustrated, the web 44 is properly guided anddrawn through the cigarette rod forming appa-i ratus along with the web28 of cigarette paper, In this connection, it has been found that'reinforcement is thus provided, thereby preventing untimely rupture ofthe ribbon by having it accompany the travel ofthe cigarette paper.

try. Accordingly, the web 44' can be suitably directed In an effort toinitiate this relationship, it may be "necessary to affix the leadingend of the ribbon Web 44 to-the paper web 28. To this end, "thisinvention contemplates employing a suitable adhesive or paste tofacilitate simultaneous feeding of these websand support of theflavorcontaining ribboni Once thefeeding of the web 44 is commenced, thedensity and compactness of the surround-r 7 ing tobacco deposited on thepaper web;28c will ordinarily,

be sufficient to pull the web '44 through the garniture.

Under such circumstances, the flavor-containing ribbon willbe locatedadjacent the interior face oflthe cigarette paper of the formedcontinuous cigarette rod}: It should be understood at this point, thatthe flavoring ribbon and] cigarette "paper need not be supplied onseparate rolls, but

-may form component parts of a composite roll with the' inner wall ofthe paper, and

of thetobac co filler: 62'. terminated at its inner end at the juncturewith the filter flavoring material duringthe smoking of the cigarette.The present invention provides for another form of encapsulating,generally preferred for powdered substances. AsFIG. 6 will indicate,"the flavor-containing ribbon may also be'madefrorn a continuous lengthof flat sheet material or strip 68, folded around metered amounts I ofsuch flavoring materials 7 0.-i The marginal side edging of thestrip 68may be heat sealed or secured in any other mannerf as indicated. Whenthe additive is encapsulated as a powdered material, the small internaldiameterof the ribbon will usually prevent powder from escaping. In

actual practice, the blade 38 at the cut-off station 22 will haveapin'ching effect, thereby prohibiting undesirable discharge of thecontainedpowder 70 in the ribbon. As was previously the case, this'forrnof ribbon is introduced into thecigarette rod making machine as a webleading from a roll. 1

InFIGSK/ and 8 the usual paper The, flavor-containing ribbon a filtertip cigarette 40 is shown having wrapped around a tobacco 'filler 62. 64is disposed adjacent the extends for the entire length Howeverfit isconveniently plug-72 for 'obvious reasons. V

, Thecapsule, or ribbon 64, and 64 -are in elongated tubular 'torrn iandthe casings thereof may be made of either inorganic or organicmaterialxwhich, upon pyrolysis' of the tobacco,will,release the contentsthereof into the smoke stream; In addition; it sho uldbe harmless tohuman beings and suitable for human consumptio'n,;both

I 'inits'initial or, original forni and after pyrolysis, Suitableflavor-confining ribbon afiixed tothe cigarette. paper at intervals orthroughout the length of their intimate engage-' ment.

trated and isrepresentative of- 'one ofseveral proposed materials forthis purpose are guar gum,*lo cust bean gum,

' ethyl cellulose, polyvinyl pyrrolidone and other. similar 7 r V 1 1'50 In FIG. 2, extrusion apparatus 46 is schematically illus-v means andmethods for forming the ribbon containing 1 theselectedflavoringsubstancesl and additives In acf' cordance with theillustratederhbo'diment, a thermoplastic in granulated or pellet form iscontained in a hopper; or I reservoir 48 having a suitable'controlleddischarge orifice' 50 communicating with an extruder nozzle 52 Thiscontrol may belin'the form of a valve means* 53.-'-: In addi- Z tion,the flavoring substance or additive, either in liquid or powder form,can be supplied from the reservoir 54 through a control outlet 56'formetering purposes, and 1 similarly be directed through the'extr udernozzle 52,- as shown: This control may be in the form of a valve means57-. Underthe circumstances, the extruder Will'form a; ribbonvor tubewhich will embody a thermoplatsicfilm encapsulating theselectedflavoring substance or additive;

The ribbon is pinched-.oif 'at predetermined'intervals so thattheflavoring substancewill not escape when :the

. ribbonis cutby the blade38 'of-thecutaoif device 22;.

This is generally preferable; especially in thegcase where" flavoringliquids are used; 7 materials from escaping jat one time, the'rib'bo'ncanes In an effort to prevent such mechanically pinchedapproximately every 10 millimeters,

or at other intervals,idep ending upon i the particular. con

materials; Materials. whose. products of combustion have poorcompatibility with tobacco smoke should be avoided, such asmethylcellulose, polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinyl acetate, Polyethylenetubing has been foundtoiperform satisfactorily? Any desired flavoring oraromaproducing rnaterial .oradditive suitable ,for use; in cigarettesandother smoking articles may be, encased inside the capsules. 1 iExarnplesof such flavoring materials, and additives arenatural and syntheticflavoring and aromatic oils such as oil of-peppermint, oil oreucalyptus, methol andderivatives, of menthol and also esters and otherderivatives of organieflavoring acids; ,Powderedi cocoa as commonly.used in smoking articles can be introducedfefiectively in encapsulatedform. jlnaddition', this inventionjmay be used for incorporatingavariousdistinctive blending tobaccos such as Turkish ,tobacco-withthe remainingcigarette tobacco, particularly when itis de'sirable to control theirdistribution.-""Ihe quantity o fflavoring' lmaterials incorporated injoithe icapsule may obviouslybe varied in accdrdancewith theconcentration of the additive and the flavoring results desired? a Thus," the several aforenoted objects and advantages, among'othersj are 'fm'o'st effectively attained. It .should 7 5 v be understoodhoweerythatthis invention is in no sense 53 limited by the embodimentsthereof disclosed herein and its scope is to be defined by the appendedclaims.

I claim:

1. As an article of manufacture, an improved smoking tobacco rodcomprising a filler of tobacco, a wrapper embracing the longitudinallyextending periphery of said filler, said rod being cut to predeterminedlength, a hollow tubular ribbon extending longitudinally within thefiller for substantially its entire length, said ribbon being cut topredetermined length with its out ends being adjacent the cut ends ofsaid rod, a tobacco additive contained within the hollow of said ribbonand adapted to be released upon pyrolysis of the tobacco and drawnthrough the rod by the smoker, said ribbon, when subjected to the heatof burning, permitting the release of said additive, and said ribbonbeing pinched at predetermined intervals to provide separatecompartments of said additive to prevent escape of said additive and topermit its uniform release upon pyrolysis of the tobacco throughout thelength of the burning rod.

2. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein a filter for thesmoke is at one end of said filler.

3. In the manufacture of continuous length cigarette rod wherein acontinuous paper tape is provided, tobacco is fed onto said tape as itis moved along a predetermined path of travel, and said paper tape andsaid tobacco are formed into a continuous cigarette rod and then cutinto individual cigarette lengths, the improvement comprising: providinga roll of encapsulated additive in ribbon form wherein the ribbonincludes an outer hollow tube with the additive disposed interiorlythereof, the ribbon tube is pinched at predetermined intervals toprovide separate compartments of said additive to prevent escape of saidadditive and to permit its uniform release, the ribbon when subjected tothe heat of burning permitting the release of said additive uponpyrolysis of the tobacco, guiding the web of the ribbon over apredetermined path of travel leading to the cigarette rod, leading theleading end of the web of the ribbon into the cigarette rod, and thencutting the continuous length cigarette rod with enclosed ribbon ofencapsulated additive into individual cigarette lengths each of whichincludes a corresponding length of the ribbon.

4. The invention in accordance with claim 3 wherein the leading end ofthe ribbon is carried by the web of the paper tape to be introduced intosaid continuous cigarette rod at such time as the tobacco is fed ontosaid tape.

5. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the ribbon isdisposed proximate said wrapper.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS436,682 Weisert Sept. 16, 1890 977,635 Klein Dec. 6, 1910 1,066,579Blosser July 8, 1913 1,824,392 Bronander et al Sept. 22, 1931 1,829,559Gilliam Oct. 27, 1931 2,072,361 Ehrig et a1 Mar. 2, 1937 2,085,293Butfington June 29, 1937 2,314,147 Langdon Mar. 16, 1943 2,669,996Berriman Feb. 23, 1954 2,707,472 Jungensen et a1 May 3, 1955 2,729,214Broekhuysen et a1 Jan. 3, 1956 2,969,794 Colton Jan. 31, 1961 3,006,347Keaton Oct. 31, 1961 3,012,915 Howard Dec. 12, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS1,109 Great Britain 1883

1. AS AN ARTICLE OF MANUFACTURE, AN IMPROVED SMOKING TOBACCO RODCOMPRISING A FILLR OF TOBACCO, A WRAPPER EMBRACING THE LONGITUDINALLYEXTENDING PERIPHERY OF SAID FILLER, SAID ROD BEING CUT TO PREDETERMINEDLENGTH, A HOLLOW TUBULAR RIBBON EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY WITHIN THEFILLER FOR SUBSTANTIALLY ITS ENTIRE LENGTH, SAID RIBBON BEING CUT TOPREDETERMNED LENGTH WITH ITS CUT ENDS BEING ADJACENT THE CUT ENDS OFSAID ROD, A TOBACCO ADDITIVE CONTAINED WITHIN THE HOLLOW OF SAID RIBBONAND ADAPTED TO BE RELEASED UPON PYROLYSIS OF THE TOBACCO AND DRAWNTHROUGH THE ROD BY THE SMOKER, SAID RIBBON, WHEN SUBJECTED TO THE HEATOF